France / May 10, 1996 / Cannes Film Festival
Overall average
5.0/10
Plot
Haifa, nicknamed after the city of his love and hope, goes around and comes around in a Palestinian refugee camp. Although he is everybody's fool, there are many things that only he knows. He is closely related to the family of Abu Said, a former policeman who gains new hopes from the political developments. Oum Said, his wife, hangs her hope on the imminent release of their eldest son, Said, from jail. She tries to find him a bride to secure things for the future. Their youngest son, Siad, is cynical and rebellious. He refuses to believe things. Sabah, the 12 year old daughter is romancing the future and wants to find out what's in it for her. The different stories are interwoven into a very timely insight into the current Palestinian mind.
Main cast
Full cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Hussam Abu Eisheh | Barber |
| Younis Younis | Younis |
| Mohammad Bakri | Haifa |
| Mahmoud Qadah | Said |
| Mariam el Hin | Haifas Aunt |
| Samer Abu Eisheh | Barbers Son |
| Osama Masri | TV Repairman |
| Samyah Bakri | Mother of possible bride 1 |
| Bassam Zuamut | Watermelon Salesman |
| Karma Zoubi | Mother of possible bride 2 |
| Tareq Qobti | Father of possible bride 2 |
| Omar Jallad | Flag salesman |
| Ozama Zo'ubi | Friend of flag salesman |
| Darwish Abu Al-Rish | Customer |
| Adnan Abu Sneineh | Friend of Abu Said |
| Samir Othman | Owner of garage |
Genres
Technical details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original title | Haifa |
| Original language | العربية (AR) |
| Spoken languages | العربية |
| Production countries | Palestinian Territory, Germany, Netherlands |
| Status | Released |
| Production companies | Ayloul Films, Argus Film Produktie |
| Release date | 8 agosto 1996 |
| Executive producer | Areen Omari, Ayoub Akhrass |
| Production | Erik Schut, Henri Kuipers, Rashid Masharawi, Peter van Vogelpoel |
| Writer | Rashid Masharawi |
| Cinematography | Ehab Assal, Edwin Verstegen |
| Assistant directors | Rashid Masharawi |
| Camera operators | Ehab Assal, Edwin Verstegen |
| Additional photography | Ehab Assal, Edwin Verstegen |
Show more
| Music | Said Mourad |
| Sound | Said Mourad |
Release dates
Premiere
Israel / Jul 04, 1996 / Jerusalem Film Festival (exact date unknown)
Japan / Oct 21, 2008 / Tokyo International Film Festival
Theatrical release
Netherlands / Aug 08, 1996
Germany / Jun 26, 1997
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